Page 73 - Mother & Baby - UK (March 2020)

Baby&Toddler

nce your baby reaches six and wholegrain carbs. Options such as
months old, he’s about to go granary and seeded bread are fantastic
through an amazing growth Tip sources of fibre, but too much fibre can be
spurt. In their first year, babies a little bit bulky and too filling for babies.
triple their birth weight. To It can even inhibit their appetite and also
Ogrow that much, they need a Remember, reduce the absorption of key nutrients, so
lot of nutrients more than at any other time first-stage try alternating between white and wholegrain.
in their life. From around six months, your weaning is Good sources of carbohydrates for babies
baby’s regular milk will no longer provide him about your baby include: bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, sweet
with all the nutrients he needs in particular, exploring and potatoes, cereals, and grains (such as bulgur
iron. Full-term babies are born with reserves experimenting, wheat, oats, quinoa).
of key nutrients inherited from mum, but by so don’t worry Fats are essential to include in your baby’s diet.
six months, his stores of these start to deplete, if food gets spat They are easy to digest, the basis for brain
which means that milk is no longer a one-stop out or thrown growth, and critical for overall growth and
shop for all-round nourishment. Instead, to the dog! development. Babies should not be on
nutrient-rich foods need to be included in Persist with new a low-fat diet, as plenty of good fats at this
tastes and
his diet to supplement his regular milk. textures to pave age will not make them fat or lead to heart
Don’t ever be tempted to compare your diet the way for an problems in later life. Fats are the foundation
to your baby’s, as they couldn’t be more adventurous building blocks for brain tissue, and contribute
different. Be mindful that he has a tiny eater. around 50 per cent of your baby’s energy
tummy, which fills up very quickly. This requirements. In fact, in the first two years
means that every mouthful or spoonful he has of life, your baby’s brain is growing and
needs to contain the maximum amount of developing at a faster rate than it will ever do
nutrition (with the minimum amount of again. Foods that are high in fat such as
bulk). Each meal should contain protein, avocados, meats, oily fish and cheese are
carbohydrates and fat. While the list Win! an essential part of your baby’s diet.
of foods babies can eat is long and Ground seed nuts can be used
varied, it can be daunting knowing Want more of Annabel in baked foods such as muffins, and
Karmel’s delicious weaning
where to begin. So, to make things recipes? We’ve got 10 copiesof smooth nut butters can be used from
simple, keep the following in mind… Weaning Made Simple (£16.99, six months. You can also serve fresh
Protein is essential for growth. Bluebird) to give away. Enter(it’s fruit with full-fat yoghurt, and
Good sources for babies include lightly fry or roast vegetables tossed
free!) at winit.motherandbaby.
fish, poultry, meat, eggs (yolks and co.uk by 18 February 2020. with olive, sunflower or rapeseed oil.
whites), pulses such as beans, lentils, Soya and many pulses are vegetarian
chickpeas and soya, milk (your baby sources that contain fat.
can have full-fat cow’s milk in cooking Finally, once your baby reaches
from the start of weaning, once over six six months, aim to give him iron-rich
months), full-fat yoghurt, cheese and nuts foods (meat, poultry, fish, pulses, egg yolks,
(ground or nut butters). green leafy veg and fortified cereals) twice
Carbohydrates will give your baby the fuel he a day, and omega-3-rich oily fish such as
needs to grow and develop and will help to salmon twice a week.
make the best use of the protein-based foods These recipes from Annabel Karmel have
he is consuming. He will need carbohydrates taken the hard work out of weaning – not
that are easily digested by his immature only is each one nutrient-rich, they taste
digestive system. Choose a mixture of white delicious and will be loved by your little one!

FOODS TO AVOID BEFORE ONE YEAR

Honey Rice milk in large volumes Refined sugar
There is a very small chance it might Contains a more concentrated form As babies have a sweet tooth they
contain bacteria spores that cause of arsenic and the long-term effects will be more attracted to sweet foods,
botulism, a very serious condition of this are unknown. and this can have health risks as he
but extremely rare. gets older.

Processed foods Unpasteurised cow’s milk, cheeses Salt
Contain additives and E numbers. and yoghurts A baby’s kidneys can’t deal with this
at this age.

Baby juices and herbal drinks Chocolate, sweets and fizzy drinks All forms of caffeine
He only needs milk and water.

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